第4部分(第6/7 頁)

sensations　lacks　precision？

THE　FINER　VIBRATIONS

V

THE　FINER　VIBRATIONS

I　HAVE　spoken　of　the　numerous　jars　and　jolts　which　daily　minister　to　my

faculties。　The　loftier　and　grander　vibrations　which　appeal　to　my

emotions　are　varied　and　abundant。　I　listen　with　awe　to　the　roll　of　the

thunder　and　the　muffled　avalanche　of　sound　when　the　sea　flings　itself

upon　the　shore。　And　I　love　the　instrument　by　which　all　the　diapasons　of

the　ocean　are　caught　and　released　in　surging　floods……the　many…voiced

organ。　If　music　could　be　seen；　I　could　point　where　the　organ…notes　go；

as　they　rise　and　fall；　climb　up　and　up；　rock　and　sway；　now　loud　and

deep；　now　high　and　stormy；　anon　soft　and　solemn；　with　lighter

vibrations　interspersed　between　and　running　across　them。　I　should　say

that　organ…music　fills　to　an　ecstasy　the　act　of　feeling。

There　is　tangible　delight　in　other　instruments；　too。　The　violin　seems

beautifully　alive　as　it　responds　to　the　lightest　wish　of　the　master。　The

distinction　between　its　notes　is　more　delicate　than　between　the　notes　of

the　piano。

I　enjoy　the　music　of　the　piano　most　when　I　touch　the　instrument。　If　I

keep　my　hand　on　the　piano…case；　I　detect　tiny　quavers；　returns　of

melody；　and　the　hush　that　follows。　This　explains　to　me　how　sound　can　die

away　to　the　listening　ear：

。　。　。　How　thin　and　clear；

And　thinner；　clearer；　farther　going！

O　sweet　and　far　from　cliff　and　scar

The　horns　of　Elfland　faintly　blowing！

I　am　able　to　follow　the　dominant　spirit　and　mood　of　the　music。　I　catch

the　joyous　dance　as　it　bounds　over　the　keys；　the　slow　dirge；　the

reverie。　I　thrill　to　the　fiery　sweep　of　no